(LEAD) Lions captain Koo Ja-wook voted Korean Series MVP after playing through injury

The Samsung Lions have reclaimed the title of Korean baseball champion after a 12-year drought. Their victory came in the decisive Game 5 of the Korean Series, held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on Sunday. The Lions overwhelmed the KT Wiz with a 12-1 score, marking the end of a seven-game series.

The Lions launched their offensive assault in the fifth inning, tallying eight runs to set the tone for the entire game. Starting pitcher Won Tae-in delivered five innings of one-run pitching, contributing to the Lions' decisive win. Captain Koo Ja-wook delivered a standout performance, batting 3-for-5 and scoring twice, ultimately earning him the prestigious Korean Series MVP award.

The Lions' series journey began with a loss to the Wiz on Tuesday in Suwon, a city located south of Seoul. However, they swiftly rebounded by winning the following four games in a row, including the last three contests played at their home stadium in Daegu. On the other hand, the Wiz secured the top spot in the regular season standings and received a bye into the Korean Series.

The Lions, on the other hand, finished second, trailing the Wiz by eight games. This marked the first time in 12 years that a No. 2 seed team had claimed the Korean Series championship.